Thursday, September 27, 2007

The City Says Goodbye to Barry

Bonds in from Left 1 last time

If your a Giants fan, hopefully you had a chance to make it out to the ballpark on Wednesday night to give Barry Bonds one final farewell. We all knew this day would eventually come, but it sure did feel weird cheering on Bonds for the last time. Even though the Giants were once again shut down by Jake Peavy, it certainly was a special, surreal night at AT&T Park. Bonds came about 10 feet short of putting a perfect ending to his Giant career when he hit a ball out to warning track in right center in the 6th inning, his final at-bat as a Giant in San Francisco. It wasn't until after he came running back into the dugout when he stopped and gave Jake Peavy a hug and waved goodbye to the Padre bench that it sunk in; This is the last time we get to see Barry. After that at-bat, Bonds waved goodbye to the fans and that was it. I'm not sure Giants fans are fully aware of the greatness they have been able to witness firsthand over the last 15 years, but if they aren't, they will be soon. It's going to be a lot different next season when you go to the games and are watching Freddie Lewis and Randy Winn roam left field instead of #25.

Barry tips cap after last AB

The Giants payed tribute to Bonds by playing his career highlights on the big screen in-between innings as well as a final tribute video after the game. I was hoping he would come out for one last farewell tour around the ballpark after the ballgame (a la Cal Ripken Jr.), but he didn't, and the Barry Bonds era in San Francisco has officially come to an end. So, once again, thank you Barry for all the memories and inspiration. I have never seen a person as mentally tough as Bonds and to perform at the level he has through all the years of hatred and scrutiny is simply amazing. I hope like hell you find that elusive World Series ring before you hand 'em up, you deserve it.

One last curtain call

*note:The Giants Blog will be on vacation until Thursday, no updates until then*